Kendle lifts Blazers in nick of time

Even at a young age, the Clear Spring sophomore cherishes every minute and second. It must be why he knew time was of the essence for the Blazer soccer team.

Kendle, who was just elevated to the varsity, burst past South Hagerstown's defense to unleash the winning goal with 4:35 remaining Monday as Clear Spring clocked the Rebels 3-2 in the first round of the Class 1A West Region tournament.

The sophomore scored twice for the Blazers to move them into a home match with undefeated Beall Thursday in the second round.

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"It's the first game that I scored varsity goals," Kendle said. "I was surprised about how much (playing) time I had. I thought I had to take advantage of it."

And because of his notion, it was advantage Clear Spring.

After a substitution pause, Kendle broke downfield to play a throw-in. He bodied it forward for 10 yards before unleashing a left-footed shot to the opposite goalpost, just past South goalie Kenny Pheif.

"I was just trying to flick it ahead, but is backed up and stayed with me," Kendle said. "It was a good thing it did. I got the ball past the defense and saw the goalie come up and shot."

Clear Spring's bench erupted on the score, the only goal of the second half.

"It's just amazing," Clear Spring coach Sid Shupp. "This is his first year of organized soccer. I always knew he'd be varsity material. He has a huge start for a small kid and it showed."

Kendle chose to play with Clear Spring's junior varsity because he knew he could play full-time instead of part-time on that level. The extra time paid off in the end.

"It's all heart," Shupp said. "He did it by playing 'Clear Spring soccer,'" Shupp said. "That's run to the ball, get there first and knock it through somebody. That's what he did because he's all heart."

The two teams battled to a 2-2 tie in the first half by alternating goals. South's Andrew Shadrach opened the scoring but Kendle matched the goal. Emens Rho put the Rebels ahead before Drew Hollar tied the game in the 25th minute.

Then it came down to a sophomore with perfect timing.

Now, it leads to the time of the Blazers' lives - the matchup with Beall.

"Beall is the one I wanted," Shupp said. "They're undefeated and we'd like the chance to give them their first loss. I can't wait until Thursday."